By Phil CaseyTournament host Sergio Garcia made an excellent start to his bid for a third-straight victory in the weather-affected Andalucia Masters. Garcia has finished outside the top 10 just once in 13 previous appearances at Valderrama and an opening 68 left him two shots off the lead held by Ashley Chesters. “It was nice,” Garcia said after his first round since becoming the top points scorer in Ryder Cup history in Europe’s victory at Le Golf National in Paris. “It’s not a long-hitters course so it does suit me because you just need to get it in position off the tee. Shane Lowry is just three shots off the lead after firing five birdies and thre bogeys in his round of 69.

Source: Irish Examiner October 19, 2018 00:45 UTC